Image display control device, image display control method, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to an image display control device, an image display control method, and a computer-readable storage medium, in which, when the total number of image pages displayable in an instrument display is equal to or less than a prescribed value, a dot corresponding to the total number of pages is displayed and a page indicator explicitly indicating the dot corresponding to the image page being displayed is displayed. In addition, when the total number of pages exceeds the prescribed value, a page indicator in which a cursor is disposed at a position corresponding to the image page being displayed is displayed together with a scroll bar. Thus, the page indicator is not complicated to display even when the total number of image pages is large.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an image display control device, an image display control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing an image display control program. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-254330 (Patent Document 1) discloses a vehicle information display device that visualizes information provided to a vehicle and displays it on a screen. In the vehicle information display device, icons are provided on the lower side of a multi-screen display for displaying various information, according to each attribute of the information for selecting the main image to be displayed on the multi-screen display. By selecting an icon, the main screen to be displayed on the multi-screen display can be selected.

[0003] It should be noted that in the vehicle information display device of Patent Document 1, icons are added by adding attributes. Furthermore, in the vehicle information display device, if new information is added to any attribute, it is displayed as if new information has been added to the icon for that attribute. Undeniably, this makes the display of the total number of image pages displayed on the screen and the position of the currently displayed image page more cumbersome, and improvement is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure was made in view of the foregoing facts, and its object is to provide an image display control device, an image display control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing an image display control program, which can suppress the display of cumbersome processes for knowing the total number of image pages displayed on the display and the position of the currently displayed image page.

[0005] The image display control device of the first type includes a control unit. When any image page in the displayable image pages is displayed, if the total number of displayable image pages is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the control unit displays a first page indicator. The first page indicator displays a first identifier that is the same number as the total number of displayable image pages and clearly indicates the page position of the image page currently displayed on the display. If the total number of displayable image pages exceeds the predetermined value, the control unit displays a second page indicator. The second page indicator displays a strip-shaped second identifier and clearly indicates the page position of the currently displayed image page relative to the total number of displayable image pages.

[0006] In the image display control device of the first embodiment, the display is made to show any one of the image pages that can be displayed on the display. Additionally, the control unit displays a page indicator that clearly indicates the total number of image pages that can be displayed on the display and the relative position of the currently displayed image page with respect to the total number of displayable image pages.

[0007] When the total number of displayable image pages is below a predetermined value, the control unit displays a first page indicator. This first page indicator displays the same number of first identifiers as the total number of displayable image pages and clearly indicates the page position of the image page currently displayed on the screen. If the number of displayable image pages is below the predetermined value, the total number of displayable image pages and the page position of the currently displayed image page can be easily determined.

[0008] Here, when the total number of displayable image pages exceeds a predetermined value, the control unit causes the second page indicator to be displayed. This second page indicator displays a strip-shaped second identifier and clearly indicates the page position of the currently displayed image page relative to the total number of displayable image pages.

[0009] Therefore, even if the number of displayable image pages exceeds the specified value, it is easy to grasp the approximate total number of displayable image pages and the approximate page position of the currently displayed image page, and the display of the page indicator will not become cumbersome.

[0010] The image display control device of the second method is based on the first method. When the total number of displayable image pages exceeds the specified value from below the specified value, or when the total number of displayable image pages that exceeds the specified value becomes below the specified value, the control unit switches the first page indicator to the second page indicator.

[0011] In the image display control device of the second method, when the total number of displayable image pages changes from below to above a predetermined value, or when the total number of displayable image pages that exceeds the predetermined value becomes below the predetermined value, the first page indicator and the second page indicator are switched. Therefore, the first page indicator and the second page indicator can be switched at a precise time corresponding to the change in the total number of displayable image pages.

[0012] The image display control device of the third method is based on the first or second method, and the display that displays the above image page is installed on the instrument panel display of the vehicle.

[0013] In the image display control device of the third method, an image page is displayed on the instrument panel display installed in the vehicle. Therefore, since an image page selected from multiple image pages can be displayed on the instrument panel display, the display on the instrument panel display can be prevented from becoming cumbersome, and an image page containing the required information can be displayed.

[0014] The fourth type of image display control device is based on any one of the first to third types. A switch group is provided on the steering wheel of the vehicle to display the image of the switch group on a display that projects an image onto a display area set on the windshield. The switch group includes a switch that is assigned the function of switching between the displayable image pages to display the image page on the display.

[0015] In the fourth type of image display control device, a switch group consisting of multiple switches is provided on the vehicle's steering wheel. The switches in the switch group are configured to switch between displayable image pages, allowing the display to show a specific image page. Furthermore, the image displayed by the switch group is projected onto a display area set on the windshield.

[0016] Therefore, the operation of the switch assigned to the function of switching image pages can be performed without taking one's eyes off the switch group located on the steering wheel, and the displayed image pages can be switched safely.

[0017] The image display control device of the fifth method is based on the fourth method, and the control unit causes the display showing the image of the switch group to display the first page indicator or the second page indicator.

[0018] In the image display control device of the fifth method, since the display of the image of the display switch group displays the first page indicator or the second page indicator, the switching of the image page displayed on the display can be performed smoothly.

[0019] When any image page in the displayable image pages is displayed, if the total number of displayable image pages is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the image display control method of the sixth method displays a first page indicator. This first page indicator displays the same number of first identifiers as the total number of displayable image pages and clearly indicates the page position of the image page currently displayed on the display. If the total number of displayable image pages exceeds the predetermined value, the image display control method of the sixth method displays a second page indicator. This second page indicator displays a strip of second identifiers and clearly indicates the page position of the currently displayed image page relative to the total number of displayable image pages.

[0020] In the sixth method of image display control, similar to the first method, even if the number of displayable image pages exceeds the specified value, it is easy to grasp the approximate total number of displayable image pages and the approximate page position of the currently displayed image page, and the display of the page indicator will not become cumbersome.

[0021] When any image page in the displayable image pages is displayed, if the total number of displayable image pages is less than or equal to a predetermined value, the image display control program of the seventh method causes the computer to display a first page indicator. The first page indicator displays the same number of first identifiers as the total number of displayable image pages and clearly indicates the page position of the image page currently displayed on the display. If the total number of displayable image pages exceeds the predetermined value, the image display control program of the seventh method causes the computer to display a second page indicator. The second page indicator displays a strip of second identifiers and clearly indicates the page position of the currently displayed image page relative to the total number of displayable image pages.

[0022] In the image display control program of the seventh method, similar to the first method, even if the number of displayable image pages exceeds the specified value, it is easy to grasp the approximate total number of displayable image pages and the approximate page position of the currently displayed image page, and the display of the page indicator will not become cumbersome.

[0023] According to the method disclosed herein, even if the number of displayable image pages exceeds the specified value, it is easy to grasp the approximate total number of displayable image pages and the approximate page position of the currently displayed image page, and the display of the page indicator will not become cumbersome. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a block diagram showing the main parts of the outline structure of the display control device according to this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram of the main parts of the vehicle.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a summary diagram of the HUD structure.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a simplified diagram representing an example of a steering wheel switch.

[0028] Figure 5 (A) and (B) are simplified diagrams representing examples of images displayed on a HUD. Figure 5 (A) indicates the case where the total number of pages is below the specified value. Figure 5 (B) indicates a situation where the total number of pages exceeds the specified value. Figure 5 (C) is a simplified diagram representing an example of an image displayed on an instrument display.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of page indicator switching processing.

[0030] Figure 7This is a simplified diagram representing an example of an interrupted image. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] The display control device 10, which is the image display control device according to this embodiment, is provided in the vehicle 12, and reports various information in the vehicle 12 to the occupants (driver) by displaying various information in the vehicle 12. Figure 1 The block diagram illustrates the general structure of the main parts of the display control device 10. Figure 2 The main parts of the carriage are shown in the front view from the perspective of the passenger (driver).

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, in vehicle 12, an instrument panel 14 is provided at the front of the seat (driver's seat) where the occupants sit inside the passenger compartment. A windshield 16 is provided at the front end of the instrument panel 14, and the windshield 16 extends in the vertical direction and the width direction of the vehicle to divide the inside and outside of the passenger compartment.

[0034] A steering axle (not shown) with its axis pointing in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle is provided at the front of the vehicle body, and the steering axle is rotatably supported by the vehicle body. In addition, a steering wheel 18 is provided at the front of the vehicle in the driver's seat. For the steering wheel 18, the annular wheel rim portion 18A and the wheel hub portion 18B located in the center of the wheel rim portion 18A are connected as one unit by the wheel spoke portion 18C.

[0035] The hub portion 18B of the steering wheel 18 is fixed to the rear end of the steering axle and is rotatably supported on the vehicle body. The vehicle 12 is steered by rotating the steering wheel 18 (wheel rim portion 18A) to rotate the steering axle. Furthermore, a steering wheel switch 46 (described later) is provided on the spoke portion 18C of the steering wheel 18; the steering wheel switch 46 can be operated by the occupant. Figure 2 The image shows the steering wheel 18 when the vehicle is traveling straight.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the display control device 10 includes a HUD (Head-Up Display) 20 as a display device and an instrument panel display (hereinafter referred to as the instrument display) 22. Furthermore, the display control device 10 includes a display control ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 24, which constitutes a control unit that controls the image display of both the HUD 20 and the instrument display 22. Figure 3The HUD20 is shown in the outline structure diagram.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, HUD20 includes: a display unit 26 that emits projection light for displaying an image; a reflector 28 that is composed of a concave mirror and reflects / projects the projection light emitted from the display unit 26 onto the windshield 16; and a reflector angle changing ACT (actuator) 28A that changes the reflection angle of the reflector 28 relative to the projection light.

[0038] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 As shown, a display area 16A for projecting images is provided on the windshield 16. The display area 16A is located on the front side of the vehicle in the driver's seat and is the lower part of the windshield 16 in the vertical direction. Thus, the lower part of the display area 16A is the position that overlaps with the hood (not shown) at the front of the vehicle 12 when viewed by the occupant sitting in the driver's seat.

[0039] For the windshield 16, the interior side surface corresponding to the display area 16A is treated with a semi-transparent, semi-reflective mirror or similar process. The windshield 16 allows occupants to visually confirm the image projected onto the display area 16A, and also allows for visual confirmation of the scenery (light and shadow), people (pedestrians), etc., ahead of the vehicle from inside the passenger compartment. The HUD 20 uses the windshield 16 as a display medium to display an image (projected image) corresponding to the image data by irradiating projection light corresponding to the image data onto the display area 16A of the windshield 16 from the display unit 26.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the instrument display 22 is mounted on the instrument panel 14A of the instrument panel 14, and can be visually confirmed by the occupant seated in the driver's seat.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the display control ECU 24 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30A, and memory 30B such as ROM (Read-Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). Additionally, the display control ECU 24 includes a storage unit 30C with non-volatile memory such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication interface (I / F) 30D, and an input / output interface (I / F) 30E. In the display control ECU 24, the CPU 30A, memory 30B, storage unit 30C, communication I / F 30D, and input / output I / F 30E are connected via a bus 30F and can communicate with each other.

[0042] The display control ECU 24 is connected to the HUD 20 and the instrument display 22. Furthermore, the display control ECU 24 stores a control program 32, which serves as an image display control program, in its storage unit 30C. The display control ECU 24 functions as a control unit for controlling the displayed images of both the HUD 20 and the instrument display 22 by having the CPU 30A read the control program 32 from the storage unit 30C, expand it in the memory (RAM) 30B, and execute it.

[0043] The display control ECU 24 is connected to the system bus 34 of the vehicle 12. Additionally, the vehicle 12 is equipped with a vehicle control ECU 36, which performs vehicle control including driving control, and is connected to the system bus 34. Furthermore, the vehicle 12 is equipped with various control ECUs 38, such as an engine ECU for engine control, a steering control ECU for steering operation control, a brake control ECU for braking control, and a transmission control ECU for transmission control. Each control ECU 38 is connected to the system bus 34, and each control ECU 38 works in conjunction with the vehicle control ECU 36 to perform driving control of the vehicle 12.

[0044] In addition, the vehicle 12 is equipped with various in-vehicle devices 40, such as an air conditioner, audio system, car navigation system, and voice input system. The in-vehicle devices 40 also include driving assistance devices (driving assistance equipment) such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and LTA (Lane Tracing Assist). Each in-vehicle device 40 is equipped with an ECU 42 that controls its respective operation, and each ECU 42 is connected to the system bus 34.

[0045] The ACC device serves as a driving assistance function, maintaining vehicle speed and distance from the vehicle ahead (ACC function). The LTA device serves as a driving assistance function, keeping the vehicle (vehicle 12) within its driving lane (lane keeping function, LTA function). Furthermore, within vehicle 12, the various control ECUs 38 (including the vehicle control ECU 36), the ACC device, and the LTA device ECU 42 can cooperate to function as driving assistance devices, providing driving assistance to the occupants.

[0046] The vehicle 12 is equipped with a switch ECU44, which serves as a selection and setting mechanism and is connected to the system bus 34. A switch assembly is connected to the switch ECU44.

[0047] like Figure 2As shown, a steering wheel switch 46, constituting one of the switch groups, is disposed on the steering wheel 18. The steering wheel switch 46 is located on the spoke portion 18C of the steering wheel 18. Figure 4 The main part of the steering wheel switch 46 is shown in the front view. Although the steering wheel 18 has steering wheel switches on the spoke portion 18C on the right side of the hub portion 18B in the vehicle width direction and on the spoke portion 18C on the left side of the hub portion 18B in the vehicle width direction, in this embodiment, the steering wheel switch 46 is described using the right side of the hub portion 18B in the vehicle width direction. The steering wheel switch 46 can be designed to be able to select either the right side or the left side of the hub portion 18B in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the steering wheel switch 46 includes the hub portion 18B side ( Figure 4 The touch switch 48A (corresponding to the left side of the paper) and the wheel rim 18A side ( Figure 4 The touch switch 48B (on the right side of the paper) is an example of a contact detection type touch switch 48A or 48B.

[0049] In this embodiment, touch switch 48B is a switch assigned to switch the image pages, which will be described later. In touch switch 48B, the side of touch switch 48A is assigned to the up switch (previous page switch) 50, and the side opposite to touch switch 48A is assigned to the down switch (back page switch) 52.

[0050] In vehicle 12, each control ECU 38, including vehicle control ECU 36, and each device ECU 42 monitor the operational status of the controlled objects. Furthermore, if a phenomenon that should be reported to the occupants is detected in the controlled objects, each ECU (vehicle control ECU 36, each control ECU 38, and each device ECU 42) generates information or information images related to the detected phenomenon and outputs them to display control ECU 24 via system bus 34. Additionally, switch ECU 44 detects the operational status of steering wheel switches 46 (upward switch 50 and downward switch 52) and outputs it to display control ECU 24 via system bus 34.

[0051] On the other hand, the display control ECU 24 obtains information corresponding to the driving and operating states of the vehicle 12 via the system bus 34, displays an image corresponding to the obtained information on the instrument display 22, and displays it on the display area 16A of the windshield 16 in the HUD 20. In the following description, for simplicity, the image display on the windshield 16A of the HUD 20 will be described as the image display of the HUD 20 itself. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the instrument display 22 is used as the main image display unit, and the HUD 20 is used as the secondary image display unit.

[0052] The display control ECU 24 determines the information to be displayed on the instrument display 22 in the normal state of the vehicle 12 and the format of the image used to display the information. The display control ECU 24 sets multiple image pages (e.g., 5 pages) as images to be displayed on the instrument display 22 in the normal state.

[0053] Furthermore, in the display control ECU 24, if information or information images related to a phenomenon that should be reported are received from each ECU of the vehicle 12, a new image page for display on the instrument panel 22 is set based on the received information. The set image page is deleted at preset times, such as upon receiving a deletion request from the original ECU (e.g., a deletion request because the reported phenomenon has been eliminated and is no longer needed) or after a set time has elapsed. Thus, the display control ECU 24 changes the image page it is currently managing and the total number of pages.

[0054] Additionally, in the display control ECU 24, the image corresponding to the image (image page, information) displayed on the instrument display 22 (including the image of the corresponding information) is displayed on the HUD 20. Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 (B) shows a simplified illustration of an example of a HUD20 display. Figure 5 A simplified diagram of an example of the display of instrument display 22 is shown in (C).

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown in (C), the image 54 (image page) displayed on the instrument display 22 is approximately circular. A tachometer image 56 for indicating engine speed is arranged on the outer periphery of the instrument display 22 (image 54). The tachometer image 56 has seven narrow, arc-shaped scale bars 56A arranged circumferentially, for example, rotating clockwise from the 8 o'clock position to the 3 o'clock position. The scale bars 56A display engine speed by setting 8 o'clock (the left end of the circumference) as 0 rpm and changing color according to engine speed. The 8 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions correspond to the clockwise direction of a clock in image 54, where the upper side is the 0 o'clock position and the lower side is the 6 o'clock position.

[0056] Additionally, in image 54, a fuel meter image 58 is displayed on the lower portion, indicating the amount (remaining) of fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel meter image 58 is arranged in an arc shape, radially inward from the scale bar 56A, between the 4 and 8 o'clock positions. A triangular pointer 58A is displayed on the outer periphery of the fuel meter image 58. The pointer 58A moves from the 4 o'clock position to the 8 o'clock position according to the remaining fuel (when fuel is low).

[0057] In image 54, the fuel consumption display unit 60 is located radially inside the fuel gauge image 58. Image 54 is the image page used in displaying fuel consumption. The fuel consumption display unit 60 changes its value based on the calculated fuel consumption.

[0058] Additionally, in image 54, the center section is a gear shift display unit 62, which displays the gear position of the transmission and shows how it changes as the transmission gears are changed. Furthermore, in image 54, above the gear shift display unit 62 is a speed display unit 64, which displays a value corresponding to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12.

[0059] In addition, such as Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), the HUD 20 displays an image 66 corresponding to the image page of the instrument display 22. Within the image 66 (images 66A, 66B) of the HUD 20 corresponding to the image of the instrument display 22, a display unit 68 is provided that represents an image page indicating fuel consumption information. The display unit 68 changes its display according to the switched image page as the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 is switched.

[0060] Furthermore, in each of images 66A and 66B, a shift display 70A indicating the shift position and a vehicle speed display 70B indicating the vehicle speed are arranged on the lower part of the display unit 68. The shift display 70A changes its display according to the shift position. The vehicle speed display 70B changes its display according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle 12.

[0061] The HUD 20 displays information about the position of the image page displayed on the instrument panel 22, representing the total number of image pages (total number of pages). The display control ECU 24 has multiple page indicators 72 configured based on the total number of image pages. The page indicator 72 is configured differently depending on whether the total number of image pages is small or large.

[0062] For example, the display control ECU 24 is set with a predetermined value Nth as a threshold for the total number of image pages N. The page indicator 72 is configured with a page indicator 72A (see reference) that serves as a first page indicator when the total number of pages N is less than or equal to the predetermined value Nth (N≤Nth). Figure 5 (A)), and page indicator 72B (see reference) as a second page indicator used when the total number of pages N exceeds the specified value Nth (N>Nth). Figure 5 (B)

[0063] like Figure 5As shown in (A), the page indicator 72A uses dot 74 as the first identifier, and the page indicator 72A has the same number of dots 74 as the total number of image pages N. Furthermore, in the page indicator 72A, the dot 74A corresponding to the page position of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 relative to the total number of pages is displayed differently from the other dots 74. For example, if the total number of image pages N is 4 pages, and the second image page is displayed on the instrument display 22, then the second dot from the left in the page indicator 72A is dot 74A.

[0064] The shape of the dot 74 (including dot 74A) serving as the page indicator 72A can be circular, but is not limited to a circle; polygons such as quadrilaterals can also be used. Furthermore, dot 74A only needs to be clearly different from the other dots 74; its size (diameter) can be larger, and dot 74A can be brighter than dots 74. Additionally, for the page indicator 72A, dot 74A can also be a different color from the other dots 74.

[0065] When using the page indicator 72A, it becomes difficult to keep track of the number of dots 74 if the number increases. Therefore, in the display control ECU 24, a predetermined value Nth = 5 is set as an example. Thus, in the page indicator 72A, even if the number of dots 74 is at most, it is preferable that the number is 5 at a glance. In addition, in the display control ECU 24, the number of image pages in the normal state is 5, and this is also taken into consideration, so the predetermined value Nth = 5 is set.

[0066] On the other hand, such as Figure 5 As shown in (B), a strip scroll bar 76 is used as the second symbol in the page indicator 72B, and a cursor 78 is configured on the scroll bar 76. The position of the cursor 78 corresponds to the page position of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 relative to the total number of image pages. Therefore, when the instrument display 22 is displaying the first image page, the cursor 78 is positioned at the left end of the scroll bar 76, and when the instrument display 22 is displaying the last image page, the cursor 78 is positioned at the right end of the scroll bar 76.

[0067] Such a cursor 78 can, for example, become smaller (shorter) as the total number of pages increases, thus allowing the total number of pages to be grasped even as the total number of image pages increases.

[0068] In the page indicator 72 (72A, 72B), the clearly indicated position (point 74A or cursor 78) is moved due to the operation of the up switch 50 and the down switch 52, and the change of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22.

[0069] In addition, such as Figure 5 (A) and Figure 5 As shown in (B), images 66A and 66B displayed on HUD 20 show switch images 80 corresponding to steering wheel switches 46, which are assigned to flip-up switches 50 and flip-down switches 52. Steering wheel switches 46 on the right side of the steering wheel 18 are applied to flip-up switches 50 and flip-down switches 52, and switch images 80 are positioned on the right side in the vehicle width direction in each of images 66A and 66B.

[0070] Furthermore, the page indicators 72 (72A, 72B) may display a left arrow 82A on the left side (left side in the vehicle width direction) of the display unit 68, and a right arrow 82B on the right side (right side in the vehicle width direction). The left arrow 82A is not displayed because the first page of the image is displayed on the instrument display 22. Similarly, the right arrow 82B is not displayed because the last page of the image is displayed on the instrument display 22.

[0071] Next, the page indicator switching process performed in the display control ECU24 will be explained. Figure 6 The flowchart illustrates an example of the page indicator switching process performed in the display control ECU24.

[0072] The display control ECU 24 has a preset number of image pages (image pages in a constant state), and it adds image pages corresponding to the driving state of the vehicle 12 and deletes added image pages. In the display control ECU 24, the page indicator 72 displayed on the HUD 20 is switched according to the number N of image pages that change with the addition and deletion.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, in the initial step 100, the total number of image pages N read by the display control ECU 24 is displayed. In the next step 102, it is confirmed whether the total number of pages N is below the specified value NTh.

[0074] Here, if the total number of pages N is less than or equal to the specified value Nth (N≤Nth), the display control ECU 24 makes a positive determination in step 102 and proceeds to step 104. In step 104, the display control ECU 24 sets the page indicator 72 to page indicator 72A. Thus, as... Figure 5 As shown in (A), the HUD 20 displays the same number of points 74 as the total number of pages N, and clearly indicates the point 74A corresponding to the position of the image page being displayed on the instrument display 22.

[0075] Additionally, if the total number of pages N exceeds the specified value Nth (N > Nth), the control ECU24 will display the message. Figure 6In step 102, a negative decision is made, and the process moves to step 106. In step 106, the display control ECU 24 sets the page indicator 72 to page indicator 72B. Thus, as... Figure 5 As shown in (B), a scroll bar 76 is displayed on the HUD 20, and a cursor 78 is displayed on the scroll bar 76 at a position corresponding to the position of the image page being displayed on the instrument display 22.

[0076] On the other hand, in step 108, the display control ECU 24 confirms whether a new image page has been added. Additionally, in step 110, the display control ECU 24 confirms whether any image pages have been deleted.

[0077] In the display control ECU 24, if information that should be reported to the occupants is received from any ECU, a new image page is generated for display on the instrument display 22. Therefore, if an additional image page is added, the display control ECU 24 makes a positive determination in step 108 and proceeds to step 112.

[0078] In step 112, the display control ECU 24 performs an insert display, showing an image representing a summary of the information included in the newly generated image page on the HUD 20 or the instrument display 22. In the insert display, the display control ECU 24 displays the image representing a summary of the information included in the newly generated image page in a manner that overlaps with the image currently displayed on the HUD 20 or the instrument display 22 for a predetermined time.

[0079] Figure 7 The image shown here is an example of a simplified diagram illustrating a summary of the information included in a newly generated image page. Figure 7 In the image 84 shown, it is reported that sudden acceleration is restricted due to the detection of an abnormality in the driving state of vehicle 12.

[0080] If the display control ECU24 displays image 84, etc., for a specified time, then in Figure 6 Move to step 114, update the image page number N, and then move to step 102. Thus, if the total number of image pages N increases and exceeds the predetermined value Nth, the page indicator 72 displayed on HUD 20 will switch from page indicator 72A to page indicator 72B.

[0081] In contrast, the display control ECU 24 deletes the added image page at a predetermined time. Therefore, the display control ECU 24 makes a negative determination in step 108 and a positive determination in step 110, thus proceeding to step 114.

[0082] In step 114, the display control ECU 24 updates the image page number N, and then proceeds to step 102. As a result, the total number of image pages N, which exceeded the predetermined value Nth, becomes below the predetermined value Nth, and the page indicator 72 displayed on the HUD 20 switches from page indicator 72B to page indicator 72A.

[0083] Thus, when the display control device 10 displays the page indicator 72 according to the total number of image pages N that can be displayed on the instrument display 22, the page indicator 72A is displayed when the total number of pages N is less than or equal to a predetermined value Nth, and the page indicator 72B is displayed when the total number of pages N exceeds the predetermined value Nth.

[0084] Since the page indicator 72A displays the same point 74 as the total number of pages N and also displays point 74A, the total number of pages N and the position of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 can be reliably identified visually. Furthermore, since the page indicator 72B displays a cursor 78 on the scroll bar 76 corresponding to the position of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22, the total number of pages N and the position of the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 can be easily identified visually. Therefore, even if the total number of image pages increases, the display of the page indicator will not become cumbersome.

[0085] Furthermore, when the total number of image pages N changes, the display control device 10 dynamically changes the page indicator 72A to page indicator 72B and vice versa based on the change in the total number of pages N. Therefore, in the display control device 10, since only page indicator 72 can be changed, the switching of page indicator 72 will not cause inconvenience to the occupants.

[0086] In addition, since the display control device 10 can switch between displaying images from multiple image pages on the instrument display 22 of the vehicle 12, it can provide desired information to the occupants who are driving or operating the vehicle 12.

[0087] Furthermore, in the display control device 10, the steering wheel switch 46 of the steering wheel 18 of the vehicle 12 is assigned the function of switching image pages, and the HUD 20 is used to display the switch image 80. Thus, since the occupant can switch the image page without looking at the steering wheel switch 46 of the steering wheel 18, the image (image page) displayed on the instrument display 22 can be switched safely.

[0088] Furthermore, in the display control device 10, since the switch image 80 is displayed on the HUD 20 along with the page indicator 72, the switching of images displayed on the instrument display 22 can be performed smoothly. In addition, in this embodiment, the page indicators 72 (72A, 72B) are displayed on the HUD 20, but the page indicators 72 can also be displayed on a display other than the HUD 20, such as the instrument display 22. That is, the first page indicator and the second page indicator can be displayed on the display along with the image corresponding to the image page.

[0089] In this embodiment, the page indicator 72 (72A, 72B) for the image page displayed on the instrument display 22 has been described as an example. However, it can also be applied to the page indicator for the image page displayed on the HUD 20.

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment described above, a vehicle 12 equipped with an engine (reciprocating engine) as the driving source for propulsion was shown as an example. However, the vehicle may also be any of the following: a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The vehicle display device only needs to display what is set according to the vehicle it is equipped with.

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display control device 10 mounted on the vehicle 12 has been described as an example. However, the image display control device can also be applied to display devices that switch between displaying multiple image pages outside of a vehicle.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control program 32, which is the vehicle display control program, is pre-stored (installed) in the storage unit 30C. However, the vehicle display control program may also be provided by means of recording on a recording medium such as CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory), DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory), or USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Alternatively, the vehicle display control program may also be downloaded from an external device via a network.

Claims

1. An image display control apparatus comprising: a head-up display that displays an image corresponding to image data by irradiating a display region of a windshield with projection light to use the windshield as a display medium; and a control section that enables the head-up display to display any one of a plurality of displayable image pages, wherein when any one of the image pages displayable by the head-up display is caused to be displayed, in a case where the total number of the displayable image pages is equal to or less than a prescribed value, the control section causes the head-up display to display a first page indicator that displays a first mark in a number equal to the total number of the displayable image pages on the display region of the windshield and displays a first mark at a page position corresponding to the image page being displayed by the head-up display among the first marks as different from the other first marks, in a case where the total number of the displayable image pages exceeds the prescribed value, the control section causes the head-up display to display a second page indicator that displays a second mark in a band shape on the display region of the windshield in place of the first page indicator and clearly indicates a page position of the image page being displayed with respect to the total number of the displayable image pages on the second mark.

2. The image display control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a case where the total number of the displayable image pages exceeds the prescribed value from being equal to or less than the prescribed value, or in a case where the total number of the displayable image pages exceeding the prescribed value becomes equal to or less than the prescribed value, the control section switches the first page indicator and the second page indicator.

3. The image display control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display that displays the image pages is a display provided to an instrument panel of a vehicle.

4. The image display control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a switch group including a switch to which a function of switching an image page displayed by the display among the displayable image pages is assigned is configured to a steering wheel of a vehicle, an image of the switch group is displayed by a display that projects an image to a display region provided to a windshield.

5. The image display control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control section causes the display that displays the image of the switch group to display the first page indicator or the second page indicator.

6. A display control method that is a display control method of an image display control apparatus including: a head-up display that displays an image corresponding to image data by irradiating a display region of a windshield with projection light to use the windshield as a display medium; and a control section that enables the head-up display to display any one of a plurality of displayable image pages, wherein when any one of the image pages displayable by the head-up display is caused to be displayed, In a case where the total number of the displayable image pages is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the head-up display is caused to display a first page indicator in the display region of the windshield, the first page indicator displaying a first identification of the same number as the total number of the displayable image pages and a first identification of a page position corresponding to an image page being displayed by the head-up display among the first identifications being displayed differently from the other first identifications, In a case where the total number of the displayable image pages exceeds the predetermined value, the head-up display is caused to display a second page indicator in the display region of the windshield instead of the first page indicator, the second page indicator displaying a second identification in a band shape and explicitly indicating a page position of the image page being displayed with respect to the total number of the displayable image pages on the second identification.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a display control program, In an image display control device including a head-up display that displays an image corresponding to image data on a windshield as a display medium by irradiating the display region of the windshield with projection light, and a control section that enables the head-up display to display any of a plurality of displayable image pages, when causing any of the image pages displayable by the head-up display to be displayed, the display control program is for causing a computer to execute the following processing: In a case where the total number of the displayable image pages is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the head-up display is caused to display a first page indicator in the display region of the windshield, the first page indicator displaying a first identification of the same number as the total number of the displayable image pages and a first identification of a page position corresponding to an image page being displayed by the head-up display among the first identifications being displayed differently from the other first identifications, In a case where the total number of the displayable image pages exceeds the predetermined value, the head-up display is caused to display a second page indicator in the display region of the windshield instead of the first page indicator, the second page indicator displaying a second identification in a band shape and explicitly indicating a page position of the image page being displayed with respect to the total number of the displayable image pages on the second identification.

Images